Senate Told 2,500 Civil Servants Hold Dual Citizenship

ISLAMABAD — The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) revealed in the Senate on Wednesday that approximately 2,500 government bureaucrats, including four federal secretaries, currently hold dual nationality, sparking concerns over loyalty and national interest.

During the ongoing federal budget debate, PML-N Senator Afnan Ullah Khan informed the Upper House that he had introduced a bill seeking to bar civil servants from holding dual nationality. The bill, already approved by the relevant Senate committee, has yet to be presented in the full House.

Senator Afnan questioned the allegiance of dual nationals in key positions, warning of potential threats, and drew parallels with recent foreign espionage incidents in Iran. “Pakistan too harbours Zionist agents,” he warned, urging swift action to prevent future risks.

Senators Critique Budget, Raise Sectoral Concerns

The session also saw sharp criticism of the federal budget from opposition benches. PPP Senator Quratul-Ain Marri accused the government of neglecting its allies and slammed the lack of strategy in key areas, particularly agriculture. “This budget has broken the backbone of the agro-economy,” she said, highlighting the absence of incentives for farmers and long-term planning to boost crop yields.

She also criticized new taxes on solar panels and electric vehicles, which she argued would disproportionately affect low-income citizens, and emphasized the lack of funding to combat climate change.

Read more: Senate committee recommends abolishing 18pc sales tax on solar panels

PML-N Senator Pervaiz Rashid, however, defended the budget, stating that for the first time, markets remained calm post-budget, prices held steady, and no panic buying occurred. He claimed the budget had been well-received by financial markets, noting positive trends in the stock exchange as a sign of investor confidence.

BAP leader Manzoor Ahmad Kakar lamented the absence of a long-term economic rescue plan, calling for strategies to escape the debt trap and tackle poverty, though he praised incentives for the construction sector.

Meanwhile, PPP Senator Palwasha Khan opposed the sharp increase in both direct and indirect taxes, warning that limited salary hikes would not offset the burden on the salaried class. She also voiced concern over taxing e-commerce, which she argued would stifle small businesses and home-based entrepreneurs.

BAP Senator Danesh Kumar called for increased budget allocations for minorities, commending Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan for earmarking funds for minority welfare and religious sites.

PML-N Senator Kamil Ali Agha criticized the enhanced powers of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), urging respect for taxpayers and advocating for a 25% salary increase for government employees.

Senator Fawzia Arshad echoed demands for greater relief for the financially burdened public and stressed the need for rainwater harvesting projects in Islamabad to counter water scarcity.

The Senate budget debate is set to resume on Thursday morning (today), with further discussions expected on economic, security, and legislative matters.